Page 63 of Holiday Hook Up

“Well, you two will have fun.” She moved across the room and walked him out. “Thanks again for everything.” She stopped at the doorway and reached over and patted his chest, leaving her hand on his sweater. “I see you got your Mom’s gift.”

He looked down at her hand still on his chest. “Yeah. I think this is my favorite yet.”

“It’s nice. Much better than the red one with the green sleeves. Remember that?”

He chuckled. How could he forget? Rachel had taken it off him as soon as they got home. His eyes locked with her beautiful blue ones, realizing his ex had more on her mind than reminiscing about his past sweaters as she tilted her head up.

Before he knew what was happening, his head lowered until her lips moved over his.

No. Nope. No.

This is wrong. So wrong.

Not the woman I want to be kissing.

He stepped away and watched as she put her hand to her face.

Man, he’d done it now. He was an idiot for letting that happen. Being here in the home he shared with her brought back so many memories. Still, he was an ass. “Rach, I’m sorry. I didn’t mea—”Wait a minute.He cocked his head. Was she laughing? “Not the reaction I remember,” he said, relieved those weren’t tears.

“I’m sorry.” She stifled another giggle. “It’s just that . . . Okay, I’m going to be honest.”

“Please.”

“It was like kissing Donovan, not that I ever want to know what that is actually like. I know that you didn’t feel any spark either.” She smiled and smoothed her bangs. “It’s okay, Adam.”

Wow. There it was. They were both ready to admit what they’d been for more than a year.

Over.

“It doesn’t mean I don’t care for you,” he said, and meant it.

“I know.” She touched his arm. “Adam Reed, you’ll always have a special place in my heart.”

“Right back at you, Rachel Foster.”

“Friends?” she asked.

“I’d like that.”

“Me, too.”

He opened the door and stepped onto the porch. “Well, I guess I’ll see you later.”

“See you, and thanks again for everything.” She said a final good-bye and shut the door.

Adam walked to his truck, touching his lips.

Friends.

How about that? He grinned and pulled out his truck keys as a car pulled up next to him.

Seconds later the headlights shut off, and Will stepped out.

“Hey, man,” Adam greeted his friend. “You’re late.”

“I didn’t realize my phone battery had died. Totally missed the call.” Will looked over at the house. “Everything okay in there?”

“Yeah, it was Donovan. He was making fajitas and got a little carried away on Rachel’s ancient stove.”

---